Easy Like Sunday Morning

Alright, so the picturesque cover may not look anything at all like your typical New York City date… perhaps in Central Park?… and granted, I’m happily off the market, so to speak… nonetheless I really enjoyed Dating Vegans by Anne Dinshah!  It’s a really pleasant read and it definitely helped me gain insight into my own relationships and further define exactly what’s important to me in a partner.  It was a blast talking with Anne about her dating adventures and recipe creations for Red Radio Episode Sixty Four.  Plus, I talk smack about the growing popularity of that nasty swill otherwise known as Greek Yogurt.  Seriously, if I have to listen to one more gym buddy wax poetic about that crap, I’m gonna scream.

Alright, enough angst.  Check out EP64!

Why don’t you slip into something more comfortable, then come on back in front of this cozy fireplace for some vegan s’mores and Red Radio Episode Sixty Four?  Erin Red gets to know author, athlete and vegan royalty Anne Dinshah to talk growing up vegan, creating simple and delicious recipes, and her titillating new book Dating Vegans: Recipes for Relationships.  Want more?  Ask and ye shall receive: The Vegan Scoop goes in on the Greek yogurt trend, and discusses the perfect absurdity of a solar-powered coal plant.  OH, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking on ‘Support the Show’, and make sure to subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes (or your favorite podcatcher) today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review with five sparkly stars, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com.  Better yet, dial the Red Radio Hotline at (510) 500-KALE and speak your truth!  Don’t feel connected?  Follow Erin Red on Twitter (@erinred) and Like her on Facebook (/erinred)!

SHOW NOTES

• CompassionateCook.com - Sky & I have mutual friends
• Canada Day - it’s a CELEBRATION BITCHES
• (510) 500-KALE - call and breath heavily into Red Radio’s ear!
• Fresh Veggies on Red Radio! - check out the newbs
• VegNews.com - Greek Yogurt Causes Acidic Waste…
• ModernFarmer.com - Whey Too Much: Greek Yogurt’s…
• RenewEconomy.com.au - World’s biggest coal company…
• Dating Vegans - Anne Dinshah’s third food-centric book
• Apples, Bean Dip & Carrot Cake - Kids! Teach Yourself to Cook
• Healthy Hearty Helpings - Anne’s first cookbook
• The American Vegan Society - Founded by Anne’s father in 1960

Alright, y’all.  Let’s make it weekly.

xo Erin Red

(Photo Credit: From A to Vegan)

Aw, man.  The preciousness of Kathy and Rambo in that there photo is almost enough to make me forget about how insanely late this blog post is.  Forgive me!  As I mentioned in the EP61 Show Notes, I got a LOT going on right now.  Epic changes, serious shifts, major moves being made.  Some planned, some completely and earth-shakingly unexpected.  But never fear, my wonderful friends.  The universe is readying me for some very big things, and my (full time) job is to make sure I’m prepared and paying close attention.  When this gift falls in my lap, I’m gonna hold on tight and take off like a rocket.  Just you watch. 

And man, if you’re not into this hippy-dippy feelgood malarky, maybe save  Red Radio Episode Sixty Two for another day.  Because it’s sincerely a warm and fuzzy episode, and I LOVE it.  Hear Catskill Animal Sanctuary Founder and Director Kathy Stevens discuss her lifelong connection to animals, her journey to veganism, her newest book - the re-released classic, Animal Camp - and the daily miracles at CAS.  Plus, Rip Esselstyn reps HARD for the vegans on CBS!  Peace and love, my friends.  Peace and love.  

Red Radio Episode Sixty Two welcomes acclaimed author, vegan advocate, and animal rescuer Kathy Stevens, Founder and Director of Catskill Animal Sanctuary!  In a comprehensive and candid interview, Kathy discusses everything from her massive career change, to her decision to go vegan at 43, to her numerous personal connections with rescued farm animals, plus the recent re-release of Animal Camp, her love letter to the hundreds of animals at CAS.  Plus, Rip Esselstyn representing on CBS This Morning, and more arsenic-laden chicken flesh in The Vegan Scoop!  ARE YOU VEGAN YET?! Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking on ‘Support the Show’, and make sure to subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes (or your favorite podcatcher) today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review with five sparkly stars, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com and speak your truth!  Don’t feel connected?  Follow Erin Red on Twitter (@erinred) and Like her on Facebook (/erinred)!

Click the Red Radio logo below to get with it, man!

SHOW NOTES

• Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary - peace and love with Jenny Brown
• Farm Sanctuary Watkins Glen - the NY branch of the epic chain
• Catskill Animal Sanctuary - featuring Camp Kindness for kids!
• Follow CAS on Twitter!
• Like CAS on Facebook!
• Mercy For Animals - champions in the activism world 
• Toronto Pig Save - just what it sounds like
• CNN.com - New York school goes all-vegetarian
• DA4A.org - thanks to Nicole and the gang for hosting me!
• CompassionateCook.com - my friend Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
• Peacefood Cafe - NYC’s amazing duo of vegan restaurants
• On Being Vegan - Colleen’s newest book; it’s amazing
• Buycott.com - my favorite new vegan-centric app
• The Chocolate List - Food Empowerment Project’s brilliant new app
• EcoWatch.com - FDA Admits Chicken Meat Contains Arsenic
• Youtube.com - Vegan Firefighter on his Beef with Meat

Episode 63 is gonna blow your mind.

xo Erin Red

So there are many, many big changes happening in Red’s world right now… here I was focused on my next move, getting my ducks in a row, hustling hard to make big thangs happen… when suddenly it dawned on me that I NEVER BLOGGED ABOUT MY LAST TWO RED RADIO EPs! 

Yikes.  No bueno.  C’mon, Redheads!  You’re supposed to remind me when this happens, so I can yank m’self up by the old bootstraps!  Jeez Louise!

Anyway, I’m really glad you guys loved Red Radio Episode Sixty One.  It was a real treat to work with Chef Jay Astafa, and I can’t wait to see what big thangs await him and his already impressive career.  Vegans for the win!

Let the mouthwatering begin!  In Red Radio Episode Sixty One, Erin Red welcomes young vegan chef Jay Astafa to discuss his hugely successful two-day pop-up event earlier this month, his decision to go vegan at a young age, his ambitious path to becoming a vegan chef, and his plans for an NYC based vegan fine-dining experience later this year!  Don’t miss the borderline pornographic conversation about Jay’s delectable recipes, either!  Plus, Erin Red talks animal extinction, Whole Foods’ redemption, and top chef perversion in this week’s Vegan Scoop!  TRULY DECADENT RADIO!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking on ‘Support the Show’, and make sure to subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes (or your favorite podcatcher) today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review with five sparkly stars, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com and speak your truth!  Don’t feel connected?  Follow Erin Red on Twitter (@erinred) and Like her on Facebook (/erinred)!

Click the Red Radio Logo below to get your grub on!

SHOW NOTES

• CrueltyFreeFace.com - Melisser’s awesome website
• Dirty Birds Radio - ONE, TWO, and THREE
• DA4A.org - Hang with me at VegFest 2013 in Wilmington!
• Dailymail.co.uk - Eastern cougar finally declared extinct…
• Grubstreet.com - Rooftop Greenhouse at Whole Foods…
• The Discerning Brute - Are Some Chefs Tools?
• 3 Brothers Pizza - check out Jay Astafa in Farmingdale!
• Follow Jay Astafa on Twitter!
• Like Jay Astafa on Facebook!
• VeganChefJay.wordpress.com - Jay’s home base
• Ecorazzi.com - Jay Kitchen: NY to Score Another…
• LaikaMagazine.com - IN THE KITCHEN WITH: JAY ASTAFA
• ArtisanVeganLife.com - Chef Miyoko Schinner
• Veganomicon - Terry Hope Romero & Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s vegan bible
• Meet Your Meat - PETA’s infamous video
• VeganSmythe - If You Hunt

Stay tuned - EP62’s post will be published tomorrow!

xo Erin Red

Sorry, Dad.  The Dirty Birds have returned in all of their crass glory in Red Radio Episode Sixty.  That’s right all you frisky cats and kittens, none other than the marvelous and mod Melisser Elliott returns to Red Radio to unleash the third installment of Dirty Birds Radio EP3.  We talked about the unexpected show hiatus, answered some burning listener emails, revealed some intimate personal details about our own steamy adventures, and debated the future of Dirty Birds Radio.  It’s, uh, not safe for work.  

They don’t call me The Female Howard Stern for nothing. 

Plus, I bring back the Red’s Raves segment to gush about Beyond Meat, my new fave plant protein snack.  Add to that a couple of inspiring vegans featured in The Vegan Scoop, and you have over TWO FULL HOURS of vegan banter.  Life is good.  

Now let’s all just stop and appreciate that photo for a minute, shall we?

Just when you thought it was safe to listen to Red Radio with your parents… Dirty Birds Radio makes its fully erect return in Red Radio Episode Sixty!  Listen in with Erin Red and author, makeup maven and vegan superwoman Melisser Elliott as they answer listener emails, air some dirty laundry, and debate about the future of Dirty Birds Radio!  PLUS, the latest in newsworthy veganism in The Vegan Scoop, and Erin Red RAVES about plant-based protein Beyond Meat!  DELICIOUS!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking on ‘Support the Show’, and make sure to subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes (or your favorite podcatcher) today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review with five sparkly stars, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com and speak your truth!  Don’t feel connected?  Follow Erin Red on Twitter (@erinred) and Like her on Facebook (/erinred)!

Click the Red Radio logo below to get it on!

EPISODE SIXTY SHOW NOTES

• CrueltyFreeFace.com - Melisser Elliott’s home base
• Follow Melisser on Twitter!
• Like Melisser on Facebook!
• DA4A.org - Delaware Action for Animals events; check me out in May!
• CompassionateCook.com - Colleen’s Speaking Schedule
• PeacefoodCafe.com - vegan deliciousness in NYC
• On Being Vegan - Colleen’s epic new book
• TheDiscerningBrute.com - Jay Kitchen Subverts Fine Dining…
• Buy your tickets HERE for the JayKitchen Pop Up
• RunnersWorld.com - Mike Fremont, 91, Finishes…
• Ecorazzi.com - Jay Kitchen: NYC to Score Another..
• BeyondMeat.com - on Red’s Raves this week
• COK.net - An Interview with Beyond Meat founder…
• UrbanTulsa.com - No, Seriously, Eat Your Veggies…
• YouTube.com - Dove Real Beauty Sketches
• YouTube.com - Dove Real Beauty Sketches - Men
• Dailymail.co.uk - Woman grows beard and moustache
• Red Radio EP26 - Dirty Birds Radio EP1
• Red Radio EP37 - Dirty Birds Radio EP2

Back to the grind!

xo Erin Red

If you listen to Red Radio, or follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I’m confident that you’ve heard me rave about vegan coupon site VeganCuts more than once.  I’m more than a return customer… I’m an obsessed customer.  I probably shop on their gorgeous and user-friendly website about twice a month (I’m being modest), and the rewards are incredible.  I’ve discovered amazing new vegan products, picked up a few cute shirts for my vegan message wear collection, bought some of my favorite products in bulk when they appear on the site, and so much more.  

Jill and John, VeganCuts’ charming and friendly co-founders, run a tight ship - I’ve experienced some of the best and most prompt customer service of my life through their glorious website.  Aside from the absolutely mind-blowing regular offers, VeganCuts launched their monthly snack box last year, and not surprisingly, it’s been a massive success.  Think about it: for less than twenty smackers each, you get a box delivered to your doorstep (or have it sent to work to make everyone super jealous!) every. single. month.  Add to that the element of surprise - you get a whole new batch of goodies each time - and it’s a certified no-brainer. 

Seriously, it seems like the only thing I ever get in the mail anymore are flyers from my local pizza joint and, well, bills.  VeganCuts Snack Box to the rescue!  

The neatly packed box of goodies for March 2013 contained the following:

• a Beyond Eggs (For Cookies!) sample packet
• dark chocolate from Equal Exchange
• an almond cherry snack bar from V-Bar
• a taste of Sjaak’s delicious organic chocolate
• Barre’s ‘Spirulina Ballerina’ energy bar 
• falafel chips by Flamous
• Cocomo Joe’s caramel corn
• body polish from NYL Skincare
• a sample of those yummy Earth Balance cheddar puffs 
• a coconut-caramel-almond ‘Celebrate’ bar from Eli’s Earth Bars

Though I’m pretty up-to-the-minute as far as new vegan products go, I was really pleased to see that the majority of the items in the snack box were brand new to me.  I’ve been a fan of Sjaak’s for a long time, and the Earth Balance Aged White Cheddar Puffs are a staple in my apartment (holy crap, they’re delicious)… but I was a total snack-virgin as far as the rest went.  

I haven’t yet tried the Beyond Eggs - though I plan to make some of Dreena Burton’s yummy cookies soon enough - and the Spirulina Ballerina bar from Barre is still in my backpack for a post-workout snack one of these days… but everything else has already, uh, passed through my system, so to speak.  I already knew how amazing the Earth Balance cheese puffs were, so no epic surprise there.  The sweet scrubby stuff from NYL Skincare made my hands feel as soft as a piglet’s butt.  The dark chocolate sample from Equal Exchange and the egg from Sjaak’s were pretty much gone as soon as I snapped the above photo.  Flamous’ falafel chips were yummy (but far yummier dipped in hummus), and HOLY SWEET GOD the Cocomo Joe’s Caramel Corn was downright romantic.  I gotta pick myself up some more of that delicious stuff with the latest VeganCuts Deal, for REAL.

And that leaves one final goodie:  The Celebrate bar from Eli’s Earth Bars. Now, I’ve seen these things pop up around vegan circles and blogs and the like, but it was my first experience with an Eli’s bar… and let me just tell you, I was in chocolatey-caramel-HEAVEN.  Seriously, I’m simultaneously ecstatic and terrified by my knowledge of their existence.  Because now all I ever want to do is eat them.  All of them.  Creamy, milky-chocolate surrounding a thick portion of to-LIVE-for coconut caramel and perfectly toasted almonds, which add the perfect nutty crunch to an otherwise stick-to-your-teef romantic experience.  I’m head over heels in love, and I’ve already tweeted VeganCuts, begging them to feature them in their next big deal.  EPIC YUM.

Sufficed to say, opening my mailbox to the VeganCuts Snack Box is a far cry from my electric bill… and my tastebuds concur.  If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate.  You might just discover your favorite new vegan product.  And while you’re at it, they make the perfect gift that keeps on giving! 

Click the VeganCuts Logo below to order your subscription today!

xo Erin Red

Seriously, I don’t know who’s cuter…

I had the absolute pleasure of spending some time chatting with the effervescent Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart of Vaute Couture in Red Radio Episode Fifty-Eight, and it was nothing short of marvelous!  This woman has more drive in her left earlobe than most have at all, and it helps that she’s nothing if not charming and kind.  Talk about the complete package!  Hear Leanne discuss the incredible journey behind her incredible company, her love for beautiful Brooklyn, her longtime love for activism, and so much more.  Plus, I share a pretty alarming Compassionate Clip of the Week regarding the ominous dairy industry.  Yuck!

YOU BETTER WORK with Red Radio Episode Fifty Eight, featuring Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart of the game-changing vegan fashion house Vaute Couture!  Erin Red chats with the ex-Ford (super) model about her path to veganism, her early work as a young activist, her bold decision to drop everything and launch her own vegan business, and the trials and tribulations of putting on the very first all-vegan animal rights show for New York Fashion Week 2013!  Want more?  Erin Red fills us up with a smorgasbord of announcements, some hearty eyerolling in The Vegan Scoop, and a bitter dose of truth in this episode’s Compassionate Clip of the Week!  DELICIOUS!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking on ‘Support the Show’, and make sure to subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes (or your favorite podcatcher) today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review with five sparkly stars, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com and speak your truth!  Don’t feel connected?  Follow Erin Red on Twitter (@erinred) and Like her on Facebook (/erinred)!

For what are you waiting?! (#grammarnerd)  Click the Red Radio logo to listen now!

EPISODE 58 SHOW NOTES

• Beyond “I’m Not Vegan Anymore” - a must-read from Will Tuttle
• Cats: Ethics - another appearance on The Vegan Option
• SAVVY - Rochester U’s incredible Vegan Student Association
• Luke Radl - my web guy is better than your web guy
• Catster.com - Food Stamps For Cats?…
• TheAtlantic.com - 59% of the ‘Tuna’ Americans Eat…
• Vaute Couture - Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart’s beautiful baby
• Like Vaute Couture on Facebook!
• Follow Vaute Couture on Twitter!
• CNN.com - Faux meets fabulous
• Y.E.S. Camps - an inspiration for Leanne
• YouTube.com - Breaking The Set on the dairy industry

Alright, let’s get to work on EP60.

xo Erin Red

(“…are you gonna finish that?”)

“I believe you can love and care about animal welfare and still consume them.” - Alex Jamieson

What, did you expect me to keep my mouth shut about this one?  C’mon, guys… you know me well enough by now.  No, I’m not going to be diplomatic.  Or passive, or forgiving, or even polite.  The way I look at it, why start now?

Red Radio Episode Fifty Seven is not to be missed, that’s for sure.  I tackle the Alexandra Jamieson scandal, and no matter which side of the fence you find yourself on, you’ll be sure to hear some pretty hard truths and some truly controversial opinions this week.  It was my honor to welcome Chloe Jo Davis (Girlie Girl Army), who revealed some behind the scenes info and shocking details about her now defunct friendship with Alex, Lara Yaz (Big Fat Vegan Radio) who shared her personal connection with the danger of the ‘cravings’ issue, and Sarah E. Brown (Queer Vegan Food), who went from peaceful to belligerent as the truths came forward.  

Like I said… not to be missed. 

The beans have been spilled in Red Radio Episode Fifty Seven:  Erin Red welcomes three brilliant, beautiful and ballsy vegan women to the show to discuss a rather controversial ex-vegan and her rather shocking blogs as of late.  Hear Lara Yaz (co-host of Big Fat Vegan Radio and Red Radio’s Entertainment Reporter), Sarah E. Brown (of Queer Vegan Food) and Chloe Jo Davis (trailblazer, wifey, mother of two vegan Princes and founder of GirlieGirlArmy) hash out the gory details in a no-holds-barred conversation about what it means to be vegan and so much more.  Plus, the latest in vegan headlines in The Vegan Scoop, and Erin Red pushes some buttons with the Compassionate Clip of the Week!  OH NO SHE DIDN’T!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking the DONATE button, and subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com.  You can also read her blog at erinred.tumblr.com, and find her on Facebook and Twitter @erinred.

Click the Red Radio logo to listen now!

EPISODE 57 SHOW NOTES

• I’m Not Vegan Anymore - the blog that started it all
• A Vegan, an Omnivore, and a Paleo… - the response to reality
• Girlie Girl Army - Chloe Jo Davis’ epic website
• Follow Chloe Jo on Twitter!
• Like Chloe Jo on Facebook!
• Big Fat Vegan Radio - with co-host Lara Yaz
• Follow BFVR on Twitter!
• Like BFVR on Facebook!
• Queer Vegan Food - Sarah E. Brown’s gorgeous home base
• Follow Queer Vegan Food on Twitter!
• Like Queer Vegan Food on Facebook!
• NYTimes.com - Grocery Chain to Require Labels on…
• Ecorazzi.com - Wolfgang Puck’s 2013 Oscar Menu Includes…
• NYCVegFoodFest.com - 2013 was a BLAST!
• SAVVY - come see me speak at Rochester U on 03/27!
• I’m Not Not Murdering Anymore - Marla Vegan’s brilliant post
• Facing Failing Health as a Vegan - Bonzai Aphrodite

Busy busy working on ErinRed.com…stay tuned!

xo Erin Red

Ain’t she just a ray of light, that one?  Yes, folks, Miss Chloe Coscarelli stopped by Red Radio Episode Fifty Six for a quick chat about her delicious new cookbook, and the notorious Phil Verna (better known as Philly Whispers) made his triumphant return to the show with his Vegans in Sports segment… and this time, the tables were turned.  Tittilating!

Click the Red Radio Logo to listen now, and follow along with the show notes below!

EPISODE 56 SHOW NOTES

• Goats Yelling Like Humans - ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
• NYCVFF - The New York City Vegetarian Food Festival
• SAVVY/Rochester University - I’ll be speaking here in March!
• Chef Chloe Coscarelli - chef, author, California Girl
• Like Chloe on Facebook!
• Follow Chloe on Twitter!
• Natural Gourmet Institute - NYC based chef training
• Cupcake Wars - a vegan wins on the Food Network
• UC Berkeley - Chloe’s Alma Mater
• PCRM.org - McDonald’s, Chicken Fried Steak served in top US…
• Dailymail.co.uk - Fish are becoming easier to catch because…
• The Wat - Train Like a Pro in NYC
• Foodswings - Verna’s favorite restaurant 
• Terri - yummy vegan grub in NYC
• Phillipe Verna a.k.a. Philly Whispers on Facebook
• Kara Lang - VeganCanadian Soccer Champion
• Amy Walsh - Kara’s teammate
• Big Fat Vegan Radio - check me out on Episode 18!

See you all at the New York City Vegetarian Food Festival!

xo Erin Red

• NYCVegFoodFest.com - NYCVFF 2013 is gonna be TUBULAR
• Care2.com - Horses Stunned Before Each Other’s Eyes…
• HuffingtonPost.com - Ringling Bros. Wins $9.3 Million…
• TheOnion.com - We Raise All Our Beef Humanely On…
• CollegeHumor.com - Friends Won’t Let Friends Eat Different
• CompassionCo.tumblr.com - The 12 Actual Most Annoying Things…
• Guardian.co.uk - Eating quinoa may harm Bolivian farmers, but…
• Guardian.co.uk - Can vegans stomach the unpalatable truth…
• Buzzfeed.com - The 19 Most Annoying Things About Being Vegan
• FoodIsPower.org - The Food Empowerment Project 
• FARM - The 10 Billion Lives Tour
• Red Radio EP20 - featuring Andy Tabar
• CompassionCo.com - Andy’s kickass vegan messagewear company
• Like Compassion Co. on Facebook!
• Follow Compassion Co. on Twitter!
• TeamEarthling.com - Vegan Podcastin’ with co-host Stevie Schafer!
• Like Team Earthling on Facebook!
• Follow Team Earthling on Twitter!

You guys, how freaking cute are Dan and Annie Shannon?  And seriously… if you haven’t heard about their brand-spankin’ new cookbook, Betty Goes Vegan, you must be living under a rock someplace.  Because pretty much the ENTIRE INTERWEB is talking about it.  Seriously, it’s everywhere!  I couldn’t be happier for Dan and Annie, and I was so super thrilled to have them on Red Radio Episode Fifty Five.  They made my job easy!

Red Radio Episode Fifty Five welcomes the world’s cutest couple, Dan and Annie Shannon, vegan bloggers, animal activists, and authors of the sensational new cookbook Betty Goes Vegan!  In a fun-filled and revealing interview, Dan and Annie discuss veganizing traditional recipes, pontificate on the growing vegan movement, share some must-have vegan ingredients and kitchen appliances, and wax poetic about the importance of The Dishwasher.  What’s more?  How about a clip featuring vegan fashion house Vaute Couture, the latest info on the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival, and vegan news in The Vegan Scoop?  I DO DECLARE!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking the DONATE button, and subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com.  You can also read her blog at erinred.tumblr.com, and find her on Facebook and Twitter @erinred. 

Click the Red Radio logo to dig in!

Show notes for EP53, 54 and 55 en route…

xo Erin Red

Seriously, y’all… it’s always a little bit surprising to discover the level of hostility some omnivores (and some industries…) hold for the vegan community.  Can’t we all just get along?

I was so thrilled to welcome both Andy Tabar from Compassion Co. and Stevie Schafer from Team Earthling to discuss the latest vegan backlash in Red Radio Episode 54.  I think we covered some pretty heavy topics, and had a good ol’ time doing it, too.  Plus I featured some hilarious pro-vegan snark at the end… just for S&Gs.  Have you heard yet?

Red Radio Episode Fifty Four features an in-depth discussion about the recent increase of what Erin Red calls ‘Vegan Backlash’, featuring activist and Compassion Co. Founder Andy Tabar, and co-host of Australian Vegan Podcast Team Earthling, Stevie Schafer!  Listen to the thorough threesome dissect some of the latest big stories in anti-vegan media, uncover the truth about walking the walk, and brainstorm on some solutions for the increasingly mainstream vegan movement.  Heavy stuff, folks!  Plus, Erin Red shares two infuriating animal-related news stories, as well as some of the latest (surprisingly) pro-vegan stories making their internet rounds!  Chock-full, I say!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking the DONATE button, and subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com.  You can also read her blog at erinred.tumblr.com, and find her on Facebook and Twitter @erinred.

Get to clickin’ on the Red Radio logo below to check out the show!

Show notes for EP53 and EP54 coming up this week!

xo Erin Red

raw-vegan:

12.  Harvard says so.  I’m being cheeky here, but Harvard’s new “Healthy Eating Plate” food guide has pushed dairy off the plate, based on Harvard’s assessment that high intake can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer, and also suggesting that foods like collards, bok choy, and baked beans are safer choices than dairy for obtaining calcium.

11.  Cancer Prevention.  Prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers have been linked to dairy consumption.  And, if you’ve read The China Study, you’re aware of the link between casein (the main protein in milk) and cancer.  Think about how often children are pushed to eat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Childhood diets rich in dairy products are associated with cancer in adulthood.  For more, watch this video from Dr. Colin Campbell.

10.  Cheese is addictive.  That’s why it’s so darn hard to stop eating the stuff.  But, as you’ll learn in Julieanna’s brief video (and through this list), it’s best to kick the cheese (and dairy) habit.

9.  Osteoporosis.  Seems counterintuitive.  We’re supposed to drink milk to protect against osteoporosis, right?  So why do the countries that guzzle the most dairy have the highest osteoporosis rates?  We now know that it’s not just calcium intake, but absorption and loss.  When we eat diets high in animal protein (milk included), our bodies become acidic and calcium is drawn from our bones to neutralize that acidic environment - cheese is particularly acidic.  Ditch the dairy (and the meat) to help maintain a more alkaline state in your body.

8. Plant-Based Calcium.  Speaking of calcium sources and absorption, did you know that kale contains more calcium per calorie than milk (90 grams per serving) and is also better absorbed by the body than dairy?  And that’s just ONE plant food you can eat.  Other plant-foods boosting calcium include: beans, nuts like almonds and seeds like sesame, broccoli, collards, whole-grains, and tofu.  (And if you think eating leafy greens is hard, start making green smoothies.  It will change your leafy green intake forever!)

7. Heart Disease.  All that cheese and milk (and other dairy products) pack a wallop of cholesterol and saturated fat to one’s diet.  A low-fat plant-based diet has been shown not only to prevent heart disease, but also reverse it.  And, before you think low-fat dairy is okay, it has been linked not only to increases in allergies, but also type 1 (childhood-onset) diabetes.

6. Constipation.  Milk and cheese have no fiber.  (Neither does meat.)  Dairy is constipating for children.  Our children have never been constipated, yet I have heard parents talk about poo problems over and over.  And, grownups, if the kiddos get constipated from dairy, you will too (maybe you are right now).  There’s no need for laxatives.  Eat a plant-based diet (rich in whole foods), and you’ll poop easy.  There, I said it.

5. It stinks.  Okay, there is nothing scientifically or even ethically sound about this argument.  But, have you ever just smelled milk?  Put aside the fact that you’ve been drinking it since your wee years.  Take a glass and smell it.  It has a stink.  You can say what you want about non-dairy milks, but if you had been drinking rice milk your whole life and then took up a glass of cow milk, it would be putrid to you.  And, that’s before it goes sour.

4. Antibiotics and hormones.  The mass production of milk requires cows being stressed to unnatural levels.  This stress results in mastitis in the cows, which requires antibiotics, which make their way into the milk in our markets.  As well, synthetic hormones such as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) are commonly used in dairy cows to increase the production of milk.  Do you want to drink growth hormones and antibiotics?  Do you want your children to?  You may bypass this one point by choosing organic milk products - but that’s just one issue here.

3. Animal cruelty.  Dairy production might be the most offensive and heinous of all animal farming.  Baby calves are pulled from their mothers at birth. Mother cows will bellow and search after being separated from their young. While female calves are slaughtered or kept alive to produce milk, male calves are taken, chained in tiny stalls and raised for veal. And, since is unprofitable to keep dairy cows alive once their milk production declines, they are usually killed at 5 to 6 years of age (though their normal life span exceeds 20).

2. Lactose Intolerance.  I would guess that if any of us were tested, we would be deemed ‘lactose intolerant’.  It is estimated that about 75 percent of the world’s population are ‘lactose intolerant’, and those that aren’t (primarily Caucasians) tolerate milk sugar because of an inherited genetic mutation.  That’s because the milk is meant for cows, not people…

1. It’s COW’s milk.  Why are we all drinking milk from a cow when we wouldn’t drink the milk from our lactating dog or cat… or milk from a horse or pig?!  Would you go out into a field and suckle from a cow?!  Probably not!  Think about that connection.  Just think about it.

(via veganasana)

* A DISCLAIMER!  (I’m sure you’re all fully aware that) I am not a doctor and the advice I give on Red Radio or here on my blog is just that: ADVICE.  Heed at your own risk (or to your own glorious benefit!) *

• The Rich Roll Podcast - my amazing guest from EP28
• Team Earthling - Oz’s vegan podcast for the win!
• The 30-Day Vegan Challenge - CPG’s opus
• Red Radio EP38 - the first mailbag episode 

So one of my (completely awesome) listeners sent me a tweet a few weeks back, asking why I don’t really tweet or talk about MMA or Muay Thai as often as I used to.  And I was all, ….you know, I don’t really know.  It’s a pretty huge passion of mine - I’m in the gym more often than I’m home, when I think about it - and many of my listeners are fans, too. 

Obviously I was thrilled, then, to book none other than UFC Welterweight and outspoken ETHICAL vegan, Aaron Simpson on Red Radio Episode Fifty Three!  Aaron was gracious enough to chat with me for an hour about all things vegan and MMA-related, and even shared some insight on raising vegan kids.  KICKASS!

Erin Red has the pleasure of featuring two of her passions in Red Radio Episode Fifty Three, featuring a compelling interview with UFC Welterweight and outspoken vegan advocate Aaron Simpson!  Hear all about Aaron’s transition into veganism, raising a vegan family, elite training on a vegan diet, and of course how he deals with the meathead mindset of the fight game.  Plus, the Compassionate Clip of the Week gets our mouths watering for a new vegan cooking show, and Erin Red makes our heads spin and our stomachs turn in the “What The Hell Are People Eating?!” Edition of The Vegan Scoop!  What an adventure!  Please consider supporting Red Radio by visiting Erin Red’s home base erinred.com and clicking the DONATE button, and subscribe to Red Radio on iTunes today!  If you love what you hear, leave a glowing review, or drop Erin Red a line at erinredradio@gmail.com.  You can also read her blog at erinred.tumblr.com, and find her on Facebook and Twitter @erinred.

Click the Red Radio Logo and GUARD UP!

I still owe y’all some show notes for EP52 as well as this snazzy episode, so stay tuned…

xo Erin Red

Since there was no option to respond directly to this lovely lady’s blog (please read below), I thought I’d address it right here on my own. 

Calling something THE truth, when it is clearly YOUR truth, is the first issue.

Secondly, NO human ‘needs’ the flesh or secretions from an animal to thrive and survive.  None of us, not one.  The nutrients we need are all plant-based - if you’re eating animals, you’re simply adding an extra step.  Vegans dive straight into the vitamins and minerals, no middle-cow/pig/chicken/tuna necessary.  

Nor are we designed, physiologically, to eat animals. Please see below:

If you tried to switch to a vegan diet, and didn’t feel at optimal health, chances are you were not eating enough calories (as animal based food is far more caloric than plant-based) or you were not eating healthfully.  Just the same as in a non-vegan diet, one must pay close attention to the kinds of foods they are eating in order to manifest optimal health.

Contrary to the popular belief that veganism is a financially prohibitive lifestyle, as long as you stick to a whole-foods diet and become comfortable with preparing your own food (at least from time to time), in reality it is far less expensive than the standard American diet.  Think about the most expensive items on your grocery bill:  animal foods, processed foods, prepared foods.  That’s across the board; plant-based or not.  So as long as you’re not stuffing yourself with plant-based meats and cheeses, ready-made meals or prepared sweets and pastries (all of which are unhealthy anyhow!), your grocery bill will be significantly reduced, I can guarantee it. 

Here are some links to help you with being vegan on a budget:

VEGAN ON A BUDGET

TRYVEG.COM

HUFFINGTON POST featuring KATHY FRESTON

VEGAN ON $3.33 A DAY featuring KRIS CARR

EATING VEGAN on a FOOD STAMP BUDGET

EATING VEGAN on $4 A DAY - book

I hope this information opens some doors for you and for your truth, bandedlily - if you (or anyone else, for that matter!) find yourself asking more questions, I’d be more than happy to help you find the answers.

Compassionately, 

xo Erin Red

bandedlily:

I may be opening a can-of-worms, but it needs to be said for good measure:

For all vegans and vegetarians that are able to eat an animal product-free diet without repercussions (deficiencies, loss of menstruation, etc), that’s power to you. But at least have the decent *open* mind that you claim…